City Council

Minutes were approved by the city council on 8/12/2024. CITY OF LACONIA - CITY COUNCIL BUDGET MEETING City Hall- Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber 6:00 P.M. 5/20/2024 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Hosmer called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. 2. SALUTE TO THE FLAG Mayor Hosmer led the salute to the flag. 3. RECORDING SECRETARY Katie Gargano, City Clerk 4. ROLL CALL Clerk Gargano called the role of the following councilors: Councilor Cheney, Councilor Soucy, Councilor Hoffman, Councilor Haynes, Councilor Bogert and Councilor Felch. Mayor Hosmer confirmed that all Councilors were in attendance and a quorum was established. 5. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Kirk Beattie, City Manager; Glenn Smith, Finance Director 6. PRESENTATIONS 6.A. Department Budget Presentation Laconia Public Library – John Moriarty, Chair of the Library Board of Trustees and Deann Hunter, Library Director Director Hunter went over the following Accomplishments & Highlights Laconia Public Library FY25 Department Request FY24 Accomplishments & Highlights • The Library contracted with Bonnette, Page, & Stone to define the Project Scope and prepare an initial Cost Summary for the needed building repairs at the Gale Memorial Library. • The circulation of physical books in calendar year 2023 increased 3.8% over calendar year 2019 (pre-COVID). • As of April 30, library visits totaled 100,514. Library visits for all of FY23 totaled 75,767. This is an increase of 32.7% with two months remaining in the fiscal year. • Laconia teens read over 1,000 hours for Teen Summer Reading. • The Library hosted an exhibit curated by a Laconia High School student as part of her senior project. increase of 32.7% with two months remaining in the fiscal year. • Laconia teens read over 1,000 hours for Teen Summer Reading. • The Library hosted an exhibit curated by a Laconia High School student as part of her senior project. • Over 2,000 pairs of eclipse glasses were distributed to the community courtesy of StarNet, and a viewing event was held in the Library gardens. • As of April 30, 135 deliveries have been made to homebound residents that wouldn’t otherwise have access to physical library materials. • The Library hosted over 130 programs for adults. Building Projects Slated for FY25 The Library’s Board of Trustees worked to reduce as many accounts as possible knowing that significant funds would be needed for building repairs. Building projects will be scheduled as funding becomes available. Bonnette, Page, & Stone will serve as the Library’s Construction Management firm. Projects include (in order of magnitude): • South chimney masonry repairs • South tower interior masonry damage repairs • Repoint existing mortar joints at various locations • Skylight replacement • Roofing repairs • Interior repairs to the south chimney • Reseal exterior apron • Repair rotted window trim The library will be seeking a full bond for the project. Deanne went over the proposed budget request, the software maintenance line has been changed, there are several technology upgrades slated to enhance security. Councilor Soucy asked if they would bond the technology maintenance and put the funds back to the books budget that was cut by the City Manager, that is a possibility. The maintenance equipment line has a very large increase from 9300 up to 14000. Copiers cost $4900/ year, Plus several inspections and monitoring fees for the fire suppression system. The HVAC line increased as well because the system is 20 years old and needs more maintenance. Non-Print media line- is for audio books, program budget down 15%, hoping to supplement from the library general fund to assist. Mayor Hosmer questioned the circulation numbers physical circulation of books, Director Hunter said it increased 3.8% from 2019. They have 4 book clubs- Mystery, non-fiction, fantasy and one at the Taylor home. The books are borrowed by an interlibrary loan to cover the number of copies needed for the book club. There are 2 copiers in the library- 1 for staff, 1 for customers. Mayor Hosmer asked how has the behavior been at the library? Director Hunter said this winter was significantly better than years past, they have installed locks on the bathroom and have a sign out sheet, and only 1 person is allowed at a time. There are still a large number of people, but it is not as challenging as it was in years past. Mr. Moriarty said the use of the colonial theater needs to be addressed as we approach a new contract for a theater operator. They have tried to work with spectacle on what the understanding of  significantly better than years past, they have installed locks on the bathroom and have a sign out sheet, and only 1 person is allowed at a time. There are still a large number of people, but it is not as challenging as it was in years past. Mr. Moriarty said the use of the colonial theater needs to be addressed as we approach a new contract for a theater operator. They have tried to work with spectacle on what the understanding of use is. Their annual summer reading kick off will be held at the colonial this year. This will be the 2 nd time to get a green light after many requests to use the theater for various programs over the past couple of years. Mayor Hosmer thanked the library staff for their hard work and dedication to the city. 6.B. Department Budget Presentation Parks and Recreation Department - Amy Lovisek, Director and Matt Mansur, Assistant Director Director Lovisek went over her Department’s Wins: They maintain 20 parks year-round, 1 million sq. ft weekly mowed, 18 city buildings, 9 baseball fields, 18 irrigation systems, and much more. The Bond beach bath house and septic system is being built right now, their building maintenance position- was approved in FY 24, the employee started in November. He has already done 359 work orders since inception. Leavitt park revitalization, energy efficient lights have been installed and the new flooring has been installed. Playground equipment will be installed at the end of May. Weirs Beach Carry in-carry out has worked very well. There has been some trash but not nearly as much. They have seen more patrons M-F than ever before. Beach caretakers want to come back, 4 out of 6 are returning. Memorial tennis/ pickleball courts have been resurfaced and are all being used. There are 7 courts total- 4 for pickleball, 3 for tennis. They did get some feedback about court usage, they have changed some days to Laconia resident only days and they have had great feedback. Sportskey is an online booking calendar they are utilizing. Opechee Day camp registration is 10% higher compared to where we were last year. 4 or 5 counselors are going to be coming back this year. Down the road upgrades: Water supply upgrades for Robbie Mills Fields, Weirs Beach Irrigation and Building upgrade, New Community Center, Park Tree Pruning, Reclaiming Bond Beach Road, Security Cameras. Director Lovisek went over the proposed budget requests specifically looking at the increases. Retention has been challenging there is a lot of training and time spent. It takes about a year to onboard an employee. CIP Highlights, several requests, many were cut. They are looking for a complete lock/key renovation throughout the park system. Leavitt, Wyatt and Tardif Park Basketball Court Resurfacing and Tardif backboard installation. Tardiff Park Sewer Line Repair needs repair. In the ISF they are looking for a 2x4 truck to add to the fleet, not to take away. This need is due to additional employees. Mayor Hosmer would like to see the Parks Dept. work with the Huot center about the possibility of students rebuilding the green monster at Robbie Mills Field. Councilor Soucy wants to know where the parks revenue is shown in the budget. It is on page 46 in the proposed budget. Director Smith explained the fees are collected as a special revenue fund that is managed by the parks department and the parks commission. Councilor Soucy asked where are we with pumpkin fest? Director Lovisek said it is coming downtown. The parks department is on board with keeping it downtown.  Councilor Soucy wants to know where the parks revenue is shown in the budget. It is on page 46 in the proposed budget. Director Smith explained the fees are collected as a special revenue fund that is managed by the parks department and the parks commission. Councilor Soucy asked where are we with pumpkin fest? Director Lovisek said it is coming downtown. The parks department is on board with keeping it downtown. There was a discussion about the cost for the rentals of the sports fields, Manager Beattie said one thing they are trying to do is to get the lights to cost less money. Plymouth State is paying the light bill and paying $1,000 for their 5 games. Due to their field being damaged. Mayor Hosmer said that looking at the budget, there are a lot of money being spent on electric bills for our other municipal buildings. Councilor Cheney asked where we were at with the solar farm in the weirs, he thought they would be providing us with power. Manager Beattie said he’d look it up. Councilor Soucy asked about the water issues at Robbie Mills, the well that is connected for the concession stand is not enough. There is a water tower that supports the irrigation system and supplements the second well, but it is not connected to the concession stand and bathrooms. Councilor Bogert wants to know why they didn’t request a truck that is plowable, they chose 2-wheel drive, they have 2 4-wheel vehicles currently and didn’t see a need. Councilor Bogert thinks they should have one in case DPW needs to use it for plowing. Councilor Haynes would like to know about lifeguards- they have 2 out of 3 that are coming back. They only staff Bond Beach. If they were trying to staff Weirs Beach, the requirement is 1 for every 25 people in the water. He’d like to see swim lessons come back. Amy would like to see that return. He also questioned the temporary salary line; it was increased a couple years ago and never came back down. Director Lovisek said they have kept it the same because they increased the hourly rate to try to attract employees, they are still below the paying rate at McDonalds. Councilor Haynes asked if there are any events that are held for children that do not go to the day camp. There are tennis lessons offered by an outside group, but there are no reoccurring programs offered by the rec department. Years ago, various park houses used to have craft events for the neighborhood kids, but it turned into a babysitting event and came with too much liability. In closing Director Lovisek invited the council to join them on a tour to see the facilities and various projects around the city. Mayor Hosmer thanked Director Lovisek and Assistant Director Mansur for their presentation. 7. Any other business that may come before the Council 8. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Hosmer adjourned the meeting at 7:22 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Katie Gargano, City Clerk